O Circuit & W Trek Reservations 2023/2024 – How To Book Torres Del Paine
Wondering how to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations for the 2023-2024 season? When I booked the O Circuit in Torres del Paine last season, it was not an easy process. But after completing my hike, I can say without a doubt that it was worth the hassle!
While I was hiking the O Circuit, I met a lot of other hikers who shared the same frustrations as me with the booking process.
Although I had persevered and managed to book everything myself, many of my fellow hikers did not. Instead, they used third party agencies to make their O Circuit and W Trek reservations, which was much more expensive than booking the hike themselves.
So, to make it as easy for you as possible, I have put together a complete guide on how to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations. Plus, I have included the tips and tricks I learned from my booking experience, to help you avoid making the same mistakes when booking Torres Del Paine.
About the O Circuit & W Trek
When it comes to Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine is the region’s most famous National Park, and with good reason! With its iconic three granite peaks, magnificent wildlife, bright blue lakes and enormous glaciers and icebergs, Torres del Paine is truly a hiker’s paradise.
This is a destination which should be on everyone’s bucket list. And the best way to see it is by completing one of the park’s popular multi-day hiking routes.
The most popular hike in the park is the W trek, which covers about 80 km (50 mi) over 3 to 5 days. It gets its name from the route forming a ‘W’ shape, taking you past some of the park’s most iconic sites.
The other longer (and more challenging) route is the O Circuit. This circular route takes you on a loop through the back and front of the park, and includes the W Trek section.
Covering around 110 km (68 mi), the O Circuit is usually completed in 7 to 9 days. But the traditional and most popular itinerary takes 8 days and starts from the Laguna Amarga entrance. This is the route I did when I hiked the O Circuit.
Which Hike Is Right For You?
The W Trek and O Circuit are two of the best hikes in Chile and in the world. When it comes to experiencing Patagonia, you really can’t go wrong with either.
Whether you choose the W Trek or O Circuit will primarily be based on how much time you have, as well as your experience and fitness level.
The O Circuit Vs. The W Trek
The O Circuit is the longer of the two hikes. At 7-9 days, this is a significant time commitment. Plus, you need time to prepare and get to Torres del Paine. If this is too much to fit into your schedule, then the W Trek will be the better hike for you.
The O Circuit is also a more demanding hike. The hardest part is the section before joining up with the W Trek when you will hike over the John Gardner Pass. This is a long day and has a lot of elevation gain in a short space of time, making it quite physically challenging.
The other thing that makes the O Circuit more difficult is the length of it! 7-9 days is a long time, and your body will feel it. Having a good fitness level and previous experience doing multi-day hikes will make it a bit easier. So you should factor this in when deciding if the O Circuit is right for you.
No matter how experienced you are, you will still likely have a couple of days where you’re particularly tired on the O Circuit.
My Experience hiking the O Circuit
When I hiked the O Circuit, I ended up finding days 5 and 6 to be the hardest. My body was very tired by this point and this is the stage when I would normally have a rest day, or be finishing my hike. Although I pushed through and luckily I bounced back for the final two days!
Personally, if I were to hike in Torres del Paine again, I would once again choose to do the O Circuit. This is because I love a challenge. Plus, in my opinion, the best views are at the top section of the hike (in particular, John Gardner Pass). Plus it’s quieter and more remote than the W Trek.
So, if you’re up for the challenge and have the time, I would highly recommend giving the O Circuit a go.
But if you can only fit in the W Trek, don’t worry, you will also have an unforgettable time! You will get to see the key highlights of the park and enjoy a slightly more comfortable hike.
O Circuit & W Trek Map & Routes
There are two different entry/exit points to Torres del Paine. Traditionally the O Circuit starts at Laguna Amarga, and goes anti-clockwise (this is the only direction you’re allowed to hike the O Circuit in). But some people choose to start at Paine Grande instead, working their way through the W Trek section first.
The W Trek can be hiked in either direction and is commonly started from either of the two entry/exit points.
On the below map, the section between the Grey Glacier and Refugio/Camping Las Torres is the W Trek section. As you can see, it forms a W shape, which is where the trek gets its name from. Whereas the O Circuit is the route which does a loop of the park and joins up with the W Trek.
Accommodation Options – Campsites & Refugios
There are designated campsites and ‘refugios’ (shelters) where you can stay along the W and O Treks. (See them marked on the above map).
At each accommodation site, the campsites and refugios are adjacent to each other (or within a short walking distance). Upon arrival at the site, there is a park office where you will check-in and be directed to where you’re staying and the facilities available to you.
Although you probably have a preference for either camping or staying in the refugios, availability may dictate which one you end up booking. Plus, on the O Circuit, one of the sites (Los Perros) does not have a refugio. So you will have to camp at least once on this hike.
Camping
You are ONLY allowed to camp at the designated campsites on the O Circuit and W Trek. Wild camping is not permitted in Torres del Paine and you must have a camping reservation.
The campsites all offer a number of amenities and services, such as enclosed cooking and eating areas, washrooms and showers. Some campgrounds have specific tent pads, such as wooden platforms. Whereas others have a designated area, such as a field, where you can set up your tent anywhere you like.
All of the campsites have basic sites available (for you to set up your own tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag). Or there are also fully and partially equipped sites, if you prefer to rent camping equipment rather than bringing your own.
Renting a fully or partially equipped site is a good option if you want to keep your pack weight down. In particular, if you’re only camping for one or two nights and staying in Refugios for the rest, it’s probably not worth carrying camping equipment.
Although make sure to carefully read the fine print when booking, to ensure you have booked all the equipment you will be needing at each site. I would also recommend bringing a sleeping bad liner for hygiene purposes, as the rented sleeping bags aren’t washed often (they can only air them out between uses).
Refugios
The refugios are mountain lodges which offer dorm-style sleeping arrangements, similar to a hostel. There are between 4 and 8 bunk beds per dorm room and all beds are twin-sized.
If you book to stay in a refugio, keep in mind that you will be sharing a room with other hikers. And even if you are hiking with a group, there is no guarantee you will all end up in the same room. So you may still find yourself sharing with strangers.
When booking to stay in a dorm room, you will usually have to book the bedding in addition to the bed, for an additional fee. Most of the dorm beds don’t automatically come with bedding, and many hikers choose to bring their own sleeping bag instead.
Even if you do rent the bedding, I would still recommend bringing a sleeping bag as well. The dorm rooms aren’t heated, so to ensure you stay warm at night it’s best to have a sleeping bag you know will keep you warm, or which you can use in addition to the bedding.
Note – There is no refugio option at the Los Perros site on the O Circuit. If hiking the O Circuit you will have to camp at this stop instead. However you can rent a fully equipped campsite to stay in, so you don’t have to bring your own equipment.
Private Sites
At some of the stops, you might also have an option to book a private room or campsite. Although this comes with a much heftier price tag (around US $200-300 per night). This can be a good option if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, or if there are no other camping or refugio spots available.
Meals & Food
At each site there is a catered dining room (usually adjacent to the refugio) where hikers who have their meals included will be served dinner and breakfast. Plus, for those who are looking for a complete package, there is the option of booking full-board, which also includes packed lunches to take away each day.
To guarantee a meal, they should be booked in advance of your hike. Both campers and refugio guests are able to book meals.
There is also an option to buy additional basic food supplies and snacks along your hike. At each accommodation site there is a small shop (usually adjacent to the park office) which sells essential items. Most of the shops are quite well stocked with any emergency supplies or snacks you might need. But those along the W Trek section tend to have a larger selection.
However, if you’re planning to cook your own food on your Trek, you should bring everything you need with you. There is no guarantee that the shops will have the items you need, and the selection at some shops may be limited to snack foods like biscuits, chips and noodles.
Although we brought more than enough food with us, we did enjoy indulging in some additional cookies at camp each night which we picked up from the shop!
Finally, on the W Trek section of the hike, some of the accommodation sites also have bars where you can buy drinks and some basic meals or bar snacks.
➡️ READ MORE: The 13 BEST Hikes and Treks in Chile
Traditional Itinerary – Which Sites To Book
To make the most of your time in Torres del Paine, it’s best to stick to a traditional itinerary. However, if the availability isn’t in your favour, you may have to change your itinerary to accommodate what accommodation options are available.
When booking Torres del Paine, I recommend starting out with the traditional route, and adding or dropping a day as needed to make your hiking dates work if your preferred itinerary isn’t available.
W Trek Itinerary
The traditional W Trek itinerary will see you hiking east to west, or west to east, over 5 days.
If starting at the Laguna Amarga entrance, you will spend your first night at Las Torres (central) or Chileno and hike up to the famous Torres del Paine viewpoint and back.
On day two you will hike towards Francés or Cuernos for the second night. In the past, there was also an option to stay at Italiano, a free campground operated by CONAF. However it has been closed in recent years with no indication of when it might reopen.
Day three sees you hiking up to the Mirador Británico viewpoint, before heading back down and on to Paine Grande for the night.
On day four you will hike to Grey, and on your final day back to Paine Grande to finish your hike and exit the park.
If starting your hike at Paine Grande, your route will be the reverse.
W Trek – Traditional 5 Day Hike – East to West
| Day | Site | Type of Accommodation |
| 1 | Las Torres (Central) OR Chileno | Camping or Refugio |
| 2 | Francés OR Cuernos | Camping or Refugio |
| 3 | Paine Grande | Camping or Refugio |
| 4 | Grey | Camping or Refugio |
| 5 | EXIT PARK | N/A |
O Circuit Itinerary
The traditional O Circuit itinerary starts at the Laguna Amarga entrance and takes you clockwise through the park. (You can only hike the O Circuit in one direction).
You will spend your first night at Serón, second night at Dickson, third night at Los Perros (campsite only). Your fourth night will be at Grey, which is where you meet up with the W Trek. You will then continue on the traditional W Trek route from here, hiking west to east.
If you’re instead starting from Paine Grande, you would complete the W Trek section first, before carrying on to the top section of the O Circuit.
O Circuit – Traditional 8 Day Itinerary
| Day | Site | Type of Accommodation |
| 1 | Serón | Camping or Refugio |
| 2 | Dickson | Camping or Refugio |
| 3 | Los Perros | Camping |
| 4 | Grey | Camping or Refugio |
| 5 | Paine Grande | Camping or Refugio |
| 6 | Francés OR Cuernos | Camping or Refugio |
| 7 | Las Torres (Central) OR Chileno | Camping or Refugio |
| 8 | EXIT PARK | N/A |
O Circuit & W Trek Reservations in 2023/2024
There are a few different providers through which you can book Torres del Paine. In previous years, bookings could even be made last-minute in person. However, now, they must be made online in advance.
It is VERY important to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations as early as possible. Reservations fill up quickly, so you don’t want to risk waiting and missing out!
The booking process can be a little complicated since the different campgrounds/refugios are operated by three different companies: Vertice, Las Torres and CONAF. (Although the CONAF sites haven’t been operational in recent years, and when they are, they’re on a first come first served basis).
In 2022, a new online booking platform was also introduced called Booking Patagonia. And alternatively, there is the option of booking through a tour provider, to make things as easy as possible.
Different Companies To Book Through
Vertice
Vertice operates the Dickson, Los Perros, Grey and Paine Grande campsites and refugios. You can book these directly on the Vertice Website booking page.
The Vertice website can be a little confusing to navigate. The English translation isn’t that accurate and the website doesn’t always work properly. This can be frustrating as it may not let you select the option you want. Therefore, you might have to try from different browsers, going incognito, or trying again later if it’s not letting you make your booking.
If you’re really having issues booking through Vertice, you can also contact them for assistance by sending them a message through their website.
On their booking page, when you click in to book your chosen hike, you will also have the option of booking additional accommodations before or after your hike at Puerto Natales. I would recommend skipping this and just booking the relevant campsites/refugios through Vertice. You will likely find better and cheaper accommodation options in Puerto Natales elsewhere.
➡️ Browse Accommodation Options in Puerto Natales
Las Torres
Las Torres operates the Las Torres (Central), Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos and Chileno campsites and refugios. These sites can be booked directly through the new Las Torres booking system.
Here, you can input your dates and then choose from what accommodations are still available for each site. You will need to tailor the dates for each site when making your selection, to ensure you’re booking the correct dates for your itinerary.
The Las Torres booking page has been re-designed recently and is relatively user friendly. But as it is a new system, there may still be some quirks which need to be ironed out.
Booking Patagonia
Booking Patagonia is a new third party website which allows you to book everything in one place. On the Booking Patagonia website, under the Buy Now tab, click ‘Personalized’ or ‘Routes’ to make your O Circuit or W Trek reservations. Browsing the pre-configured routes under the ‘Routes’ option is the easiest way to book through Booking Patagonia. But, if none of the routes suit you, use the ‘Personalized’ option.
The benefits of using this platform is that you can book both the Vertice and Las Torres sites all in one place. You can also add on transport to and from the park, which is convenient to be able to book at the same time. Plus, the park entrance fee will automatically be added to your booking when reserving through Booking Patagonia.
Like Vertice, Booking Patagonia also lets you add on your accommodation in Puerto Natales before and after your hike. But to get better accommodation deals, I still suggest booking your Puerto Natales accommodation separately. So skip this step on Booking Patagonia and instead browse Puerto Natales accommodation options here.
As long as you’re booking Torres del Paine early enough, and all your preferred sites and dates are still available, using Booking Patagonia does make it much easier. However, there are some downsides.
It’s slightly more expensive than going direct and there are additional T&Cs.
As they are a third party booking company, there is a 15% markup with Booking Patagonia. And they come with additional terms and conditions, on top of the Vertice and Las Torres T&Cs, which also still apply. This can make changing or cancelling a booking more confusing and expensive.
The availability on the Booking Patagonia website isn’t always completely accurate.
Even if Booking Patagonia says there is no availability left on your preferred dates, I still recommend checking the Vertice and Las Torres websites anyway, to be sure. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Finally, the Booking Patagonia website is not that user friendly.
When you input your start date and go through to select your sites for each specific date, if one site isn’t available you can’t just edit your dates and continue with your booking. You also can’t browse alternative available dates or see which dates ARE available. Instead you have to go back and start the whole process from scratch. This can make trying to find available dates a VERY time consuming exercise.
When I booked Torres del Paine in 2022 I initially used Booking Patagonia. It ended up taking me several hours of trying before I was able to book an itinerary which worked for us.
Admittedly, I was booking rather last minute, so availability was scarce. But these issues could be easily resolved to make the user experience much easier. Hopefully they will work on fixing this issue in the future.
Read More About My Experience Using Booking Patagonia
Booking a Tour
Another option is to book Torres del Paine as a tour package. This is the best way to make things as easy for yourself as possible (although it’s also more expensive than arranging everything yourself). These are self-guided tours, but they include everything.
The advantage of going through a tour company is that all the logistics are taken care of for you, and it’s all-inclusive. So you save a lot of time planning and you don’t need to worry about carrying your own food and camping equipment on your trek.
➡️ BOOK: Classic W Circuit – Torres del Paine
CONAF
CONAF is the Chilean National Forest Corporation. In the past, they have operated two free campsites in Torres del Paine – El Paso, and Italiano. These sites had limited facilities and you could not book them in advance.
Both the El Paso and Italiano campsites have been closed for the past couple of years. There is no indication of them re-opening anytime soon. Even if they do open again, it’s best not to rely on them since you can’t book them in advance. So there’s always a chance you will arrive and they will already be full.
How To Make O Circuit & W Trek Reservations
Making O Circuit and W Trek Reservations can be a tricky task. With the exception of booking Torres del Paine as a tour package, all the booking platforms have some challenges.
If your preferred dates and sites are all available, then going through Booking Patagonia can be the simplest option. However, in my experience, if your first choice of dates aren’t available, it’s best to book directly with Vertice and Las Torres. You will likely be able to find suitable dates quicker this way. Plus it’s cheaper and easier if you need to make changes later.
Your first step is to determine your dates and plan your ideal itinerary. Then look on your chosen booking platform(s) to see if your preferred sites are available. If they are, don’t hesitate to book them! Bookings fill up quickly and you don’t want to risk waiting and missing out.
If your preferred dates or sites aren’t available you will need to start playing around with your dates to see what alternative options are available, and adapt your itinerary accordingly.
Booking through Vertice and Las Torres
If you choose to book with Vertice and Las Torres, you will have to make two separate bookings. The first booking through Vertice will be for Grey and Paine Grande (in the W Trek Section), and Dickson and Los Perros if doing the O Circuit. Your second booking will be through Las Torres for Francés or Cuernos and Las Torres/Central or Chileno (in the W Trek section), and Serón if doing the O Circuit.
Here is a breakdown of which sites belong to which operator:
| SITE | TREK | OPERATOR |
| Serón | O Circuit | Las Torres |
| Dickson | O Circuit | Vertice |
| Los Perros | O Circuit | Vertice |
| Grey | O Circuit / W Trek. | Vertice |
| Paine Grande | O Circuit / W Trek | Vertice |
| Francés | O Circuit / W Trek | Las Torres |
| Cuernos | O Circuit / W Trek | Las Torres |
| Chileno | O Circuit / W Trek | Las Torres |
| Las Torres (Central) | O Circuit / W Trek | Las Torres |
Booking through Booking Patagonia
If you’re making O Circuit and W Trek reservations well in advance, and you want the ease of everything being in one place, then I would recommend trying Booking Patagonia.
If your preferred dates and sites appear to be available, you will have a smooth booking process with them and you will have all your accommodation, meals, transport and park entrance fees organized under the one reservation.
Going through Booking Patagonia only becomes challenging when some sites appear to be unavailable on your dates. In this case, you can spend a lot more time than necessary trying different dates and itineraries to find an option that works for you. And you may still end up with a less than ideal itinerary, or not being able to book your trek at all.
If you find yourself in this situation, I would suggest switching over to Vertice and Las Torres to make your O Circuit and W Trek reservations. And to avoid making the same mistakes I made, I also suggest reading my Review of Booking Patagonia.
What Else Do You Need To Book To Visit Torres Del Paine?
Making O Circuit and W Trek reservations isn’t the only thing you have to think about when booking a visit to Torres del Paine. There are a range of other logistics you also need to organize and additional expenses to factor in:
Food / Meals
Full-board ranges from $80-100 USD per day and includes breakfast, dinner, and a packed lunch to take away. You can also bring all your own food and cooking equipment to cook in the campground. Or book some of the meals and bring your own food to cook for the rest.
A lot of people will book their breakfasts and dinners but bring their own snack foods to eat for lunch, rather than doing full-board.
The meals at the refugios can be added to your reservations through all the online booking platforms. If there’s availability, you should see an option to add them when you’re making your booking. It’s recommended to add these at the time when you make your O Circuit and W Trek reservations, to guarantee your meals.
Park Entrance Fee
This is a flat fee of $49 USD per person for 3+ days in Torres del Paine. This fee is automatically added to your booking through Booking Patagonia. But if booking through Vertice and Las Torres, you will need to pay your park entrance fee separately, which you can do here.
Transport to and From Torres del Paine
The most popular way of getting to Torres del Paine is by bus from Puerto Natales. This should also be booked in advance and costs $15 USD each way.
Accommodation Before and After Your Hike
Most people will stay in Puerto Natales for at least 1 night before and after their hike. There are plenty of accommodation options there including hostels, bed & breakfasts and hotels. You should expect to pay around $40 USD per night for a bed in a dorm room or $100 USD per night for a private room.
Hiking and Camping Equipment
If you don’t already own your own hiking and camping equipment you will need to buy or rent this before your hike. This can be an expensive investment but you can find some good deals on budget-friendly good quality hiking and camping equipment at stores like Decathlon and on Amazon.
Flights to Patagonia
On top of everything else, you also need to get to Patagonia, which you will most likely do by flying. Punta Arenas is the most common airport to fly to for Torres del Paine, but Puerto Natales also has a small airport. The best way I found to get to Chilean Patagonia was to first fly to Santiago, where we spent a few days, before flying down to Punta Arenas.
➡️ BOOK: Flights to Chilean Patagonia (Punta Arenas)
Getting to and from the trailheads
If starting at Laguna Amarga you will need to get a shuttle bus to the trailhead. Whereas at Paine Grande you will need to catch the catamaran from Pudeto. You can’t book either of these in advance. Instead, you will just have to wait in the queue and pay at the time, in cash. So make sure you are carrying enough local Chilean Pesos (CLP) with you.
The shuttle bus to and from the Languna Amarga trailhead costs $3.000 CLP ($5 USD) per person, each way. And the catamaran from Pudeto to Paine Grande costs $30,000 CLP ($40 USD) per person, each way. Sometimes during the peak season the catamaran will accept other currencies, like USD and Euros, but I wouldn’t recommend counting on this.
Book Your Accommodation in Puerto Natales
How Much Does The O Circuit & W Trek Cost?
The O Circuit and W Trek are not cheap hikes to do. The rates to camp or stay in the refugios vary from site to site.
The cheapest camping options are at the Vertice campsites which start at $10-13 USD per person, per night. Whereas a basic campsite to pitch your own tent at the Las Torres campsites costs $56 USD for one person, or $60 for two people.
The prices for partially or fully equipped campsites, or to stay in the refugios cost a lot more. A fully equipped campsite (includes tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag) costs between $220 to $288 USD for two people sharing. Whereas a bed without linen in a shared dorm room ranges from $43-$65 per person, and with sheets costs around $100.
The total you should plan to budget for the hike (including refugio/campsite bookings, park entrance fees and the bus to and from the park) is:
- Around $250 USD for the W Trek, and $350 USD for the O Circuit (per person) if you’re planning to camp and bring your own food and equipment.
- Upwards of $1,000 USD for the W Trek and $1,500 USD for the O Circuit (per person) if you’re looking to stay in the refugios or at fully-equipped campsites with full-board.
Note – You will need to factor in additional costs such as accommodation before and after your hike, flights, equipment and food.
Booking Torres del Paine FAQs
Do I need to book Torres Del Paine in advance?
YES – Both O Circuit and W Trek reservations need to be made in advance! You are not allowed to start these hikes if you don’t have your accommodation/camping sites booked. You must also book Torres del Paine entry, by paying an entrance fee before entering the park.
When you check in before you start your hike you will have to show your booking confirmation and there are rangers stationed throughout the park who will also check your reservations. You are therefore required to keep a printed copy of your reservations with you, to show to the rangers along the way.
When do O Circuit and W Trek reservations open?
Reservations for the O Circuit and W Trek open in July for the upcoming hiking season, which runs from October to April. Reservations are now open for 2023-2024.
It’s recommended that you book Torres del Paine as soon as possible, before reservations fill up.
Which campsites do you need to book for the O Circuit and W Trek?
You must book every campsite or refugio you plan to stay at on your hike. The only exception to this in previous years has been the CONAF campsites. But these are currently closed with no reopening dates in sight.
Why Is It So Difficult To Book Torres Del Paine In 2023/2024?
Over the past couple of years, O Circuit and W Trek reservations have been booking up earlier and earlier. You used to be able to book Torres del Paine last-minute, once you were already in Patagonia. But with an increase in travel post-pandemic, and the growing popularity of outdoor activities like hiking, it is now more difficult to get a reservation.
There are actually also now fewer campsites available on the trails than before. The two CONAF campsites have been closed for 2 years, with no view of reopening. This means the other campsites and refugios are busier than ever.
Finally, with the move to online reservations, the new booking platforms can be quite confusing to use and there are still technical issues to iron out. But hopefully over the coming years improvements will be made and the sites will become more intuitive to use.
Can I book the W Trek and O Circuit last minute?
You should always make O Circuit and W Trek reservations in advance. Booking last minute is not recommended as most refugios and campsites will book out early in the season.
Of course, there is a chance you will get lucky, as not every date is fully-booked and cancellations do occur. So if you don’t have a reservation already, I would recommend you still check to see if you can find something that suits your dates.
When I booked our hike last season, it was actually only a few weeks in advance. I ended up getting lucky and managing to book the traditional O Circuit route. Although this did take a lot of time and patience, as I had to try a lot of different options to find dates that worked.
Does Torres Del Paine sell out?
Yes, many dates for Torres del Paine do sell out, especially during the height of the summer season (December to February). Therefore, you should make your O Circuit or W Trek reservations as early as possible.
Is Torres del Paine open all year?
Yes, Torres del Paine National Park is open all year. However, the hiking season is only from October to April and the refugios and campsites are closed outside of this time. Therefore, you can only hike the O Circuit and W Trek between October and April. If you are hoping to visit outside of these times, you can instead book a day trip to Torres del Paine.
➡️ Browse All Torres del Paine Day Tours From Puerto Natales
What is the peak season for Torres del Paine?
The peak season to visit Torres del Paine is during the summer, from December to February.
What is the best month to visit Torres del Paine?
For the warmest weather and long days, December to February are the best months to visit Torres del Paine. However, this is also the windiest time of year in Patagonia, and the busiest time in the park.
As an alternative, September to November and March to April are excellent times to visit. These months still fall within the hiking season, but are a little quieter than at the height of summer. Plus, these are great times to see beautiful colours in the park. In the spring, you will see blossoming wildflowers, and in the fall, the changing colours of the fall foliage.
Is Torres del Paine busy?
Yes – Torres del Paine does get busy, especially during the height of the summer season. More than 250,000 people visit the park each year!
While many visitors to the park are just day visitors, the W Trek and O Circuit are also often fully booked. Although the limited spaces on both hikes do help to keep the number of people on the trails down. But the W Trek section can get very busy as it is the more popular of the two hikes and also attracts day visitors.
Where to start in Torres del Paine?
There are two entrances/exits to Torres del Paine, where you can start the W Trek and O Circuit from. The most popular entrance is Laguna Amarga. The other entrance is Paine Grande, which is accessible by getting a catamaran from Pudeto.
How many days do you need in Torres del Paine?
If you’re looking to hike the W Trek, you will need between 3 to 5 days in Torres del Paine. The traditional W Trek itinerary takes 5 days (4 nights). For the O Circuit you will need 7 to 9 days, with the traditional route taking 8 days (7 nights).
Alternatively, if you’re short on time you can visit Torres del Paine on a day tour. Or, visit for one or two nights and stay at a hotel in the park. In just a couple of days you can still take in breathtaking scenery and see some of the highlights of the park.
Can you do the W Trek and O Circuit without a guide?
Yes, you can do the W Trek and O Circuit on your own! You don’t need a guide as the trail is well maintained and marked. However, if you don’t have much experience hiking, then hiring a guide to accompany you could be a good idea.
How difficult is the O Circuit and W Trek in Patagonia?
Both the O Circuit and W Trek are moderately difficult hikes. They aren’t exceptionally technical hikes, but the elevation gain and length of the hikes make them challenging in sections. The O Circuit is the more challenging of the two hikes because it is longer and requires you to hike over the John Gardner Pass.
What is the best trek for beginners in Torres del Paine?
If you’ve never hiked before then planning a day trip to Torres del Paine and doing a day hike will be the best option. Whereas, if you have some experience hiking and are up for the challenge, then I would recommend doing the W Trek. If you don’t have any previous experience doing multi-day hikes, I wouldn’t recommend the O Circuit.
Luckily, if you’re finding your hike too difficult you can always skip the sections which take you up to the Británico and Torres del Paine viewpoints. (Although it would be a shame to miss these, as they are the highlights of the park).
You can also book to stay in the refugios or at fully-equipped campsites and pay for full-board, to minimize how much you have to carry with you. Alternatively, you can also hire porters to help carry your belongings each day.
Can you see Torres del Paine without hiking?
Yes, you can still visit Torres del Paine National Park without hiking. However, you will miss out on seeing the highlights of the park if you aren’t able to hike and your visit might not be worth it. Therefore, at the very least I would recommend you prepare to do some day hiking when planning a visit to Torres del Paine.
What is the closest town to Torres del Paine?
The closest town to Torres del Paine is Puerto Natales. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive along semi-paved roads. This is where most people stay before and after their visits to Torres del Paine, and is where most tours to Torres del Paine depart from.
When flying to Chilean Patagonia to visit Torres del Paine, you should fly either to Punta Arenas, or to Puerto Natales. Although it’s further away from the Park, Punta Arenas has a larger airport and is where most people fly into.
➡️ BOOK: Flights to Chilean Patagonia (Punta Arenas)
O Circuit & W Trek Reservations – Final Thoughts
My final take aways on how to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations is to book early, be as flexible with your dates as possible, and be patient with the different booking platforms.
Booking treks in Torres del Paine is probably a bit more complicated than other hikes you’ve booked in the past. But going through the hassle of making O Circuit and W Trek reservations is definitely worth it! Both these hikes are bucket-list worthy experiences with some of the most breathtaking and memorable views you will ever see.
Happy hiking!
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